"This incredible singer has acrobatic control of her voice, her own phrasing style, as well as range, emotion, and sheer force that easily rival Whitney and Celine. She co-writes some of her tunes. Live on stage, her real curves humble Mariah. She's been on tour with and is now managed by Patti Labelle. Credentials! I played Mary's "Surrender" next to Celine's. Mary's key is at least 2 notes higher. Mary's "Anytime" has now been recorded by Kelly Clarkson. Hope Kelly got rest that day. The Japanese edition of this album has 6 different tracks. The song-writers Sam Watters & Louis Biancaniello composed "Dying Inside" and "Without You" for that cd, which are as good as their songs "Surrender" and "Anytime". Get these two cd's as well as the Diane Warren - penned single "I Wanna Get Back With You.""
Finally, an album well worth the wait!
John L. Hulsey | San Diego, CA United States | 12/31/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In 1997, Mary Griffin recorded "For The First Time," but the CD was never released. Now, many of those tracks are available on this new release, which is actually called "Purified."Mary had a series of singles, including the remake of "Knock on Wood" from the 54 soundtrack. She had dance hits with "Perfect Moment," "We Can Get There (from Coyote Ugly), and "Without You."I am definitely not an unbiased reviewer, because I was one of the fortunate few who saw Mary perform Sunday afternoons at the Mint in New Orleans. More than just a powerful voice in a beautiful body, she is one of the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure to meet. If there is such a thing as anyone who "deserves" to make it big, this lady is that person.Buy this CD, play it often, and impress your friends with your musical discovery. If there is any hope in this world, Mary will one day top the charts!John Hulsey"
Ecstacy! Rapture!
JazzDing | San Diego | 02/02/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'll tell you where she is: She sang at Napolean's Itch in New Orleans on Sunday. It's a 'small venue'-- a bar. It was packed when she started, but with people who had not necessarily come to see her. They rudely talked over her first number. She started the second then stopped the band and reprimanded the crowd using appropriately salty language . . . then she TOOK OFF. I was in the back, unable to see and started hearing this incredible voice reaching ever higher and tossing emotion like a bird in flight. I pushed my way to the front and stood right there, 3 feet from her and she sang a song and a half just to me. I've heard gospel singers talk about being taken over by the spirit when they're really on. Well it was as if this girl was possessed! She can stand right next to Patti in my book and to me Patti is a Goddess. She did Get Here . . . which is special to me for reasons I won't go into. I actually cried during the ending. OH, did I mention this girl is HOT. I mean, I'm gay, ok? But she could just about change me, you know? By the middle of her set, everyone in the place, with few and occasional exceptions, was tuned in. She walked the bar, front to back, singing to this one and that one then strolled out into the street and sang to the people out there. It was an unbelievable performance, one I will cherish and never forget. When she finished, I waited for a moment and thanked her for giving her soul that day. She held me in a long embrace and whispered in my ear, 'I love you.'
Go out and buy this record. Snap up everything you can by Mary Griffin. She's in a league of her own."
"Most of today's mainstream dance artists use a variety of top notch producers and Grade A+ Remixers all in hope that their weak lackluster vocals go unoticed, let's get one thing clear about Mary Griffin, This lady can SING! SING! AND SANG! not only does Mary have quite the dance discography to back her up, but included on this album are her ballad remixes for "We Can Get There" & "Perfect Moment" what?? did you say ballad? YES! now how many dance artists do you know that go from an Anthematic Thunderpuss club mix (ala "We Can Get There") and churn it out into a sultry inspirational ballad? can't think of any huh? also the ballad mix of "Perfect Moment" is included here in full force (yes it was too a #1 smash dance hit mixed by the New York mastermind Johnny Vicious & the UK team Almighty Associates) Okay so Mary can shake things up in a club and sing a ballad that gives Celine, Mariah & Whitney a run for their money, but we are not finished. Mary grew up singing in church need I say more? the first few songs on this album are great Gospel/Inspirational tracks that even touched me and I am not a personal who listens to gospel music, "You Need Love" & "Anytime" get the message across that wel... you pretty much need love to live!! and if you don't get the message than Mary's voice will certainly put you in a trance. And one other thing both songs were produced by the excellent duo Sam Watters & Louis Biancaniello who have also did most of Anastacia's hit singless like "One Day In Your Life" so you know you are getting top notch production. If the first half of this album doesn't grab you than I can pretty much swear on my life that tracks #9 & #10 will not only have you wearing out the repeat button on your stero but convert you into a die hard Mary Griffin fanatic (such as myself) Who would've thought that Mary could cover Debby Boone's classic "You Light Up My Life" and make it sound like such a fresh new song that has never been sung before?? sure LeAnn Rimes & even Whitney have covered this timeless classic but all n' all Mary is the one that can only rival the original. Last and certainly not last, Track #10 "I Surrender" wow, as I listen to this track while typing out this review I still feel the same as when I first heard it "OH MY GOSH! AMAZINGGGG"! for those of you who like Celine Dion this is the same ballad she used on her newest CD. No No Mary did not cover this song what most don't know is Celine covered this song and had Mary sing the background vocals for her version. I am sorry but this song belongs to Mary and she blew Celine out of the water. There really isn't a big difference between the production & arrangement as the version Celine recorded, infact Celine pretty much used the same vocal arrangement as Mary's the only difference is Mary has soul and Celine has that screaming/shrill thing going on. Honestly I could go & on about this masterpiece but I am limited, so just pick this CD up it's a voice that is so greatly missed in this day and age! this CD may not contain her previous uptempo groovy single "Without You" or even the Diane Warren ballad "I Wanna Get Back With You" but despair not, because the original intent of this album is not about breaking up with someone and wanting them back, or hating on your man, and bragging about how much money you got, or the rocks that you bought, but to bring you closer to reality & keeping your faith in god."